Best way to Euthenize a sick fish.

[Dangerdoll]

for all who are asking what clove oil is. Its an anaesthetic used to relieve toothaches. It can be found in the tooth products aisle in any local drug store or bigger. Soemtimes it has a main ingredient of something called Ethanol.

 

[dbcb314]

I asked 2 of my friends how they used to kill fish when they worked at the pet store...

step 1: take out fish with net, keep the fish in the net
step 2: take the fish to the back away from customers
step 3: put the net on the ground, put some sort of plastic cover
step 4: stomp
step 5: put smashed fish in trash
step 6: rinse the net

 

[trixx]

Very sorry to offend you Conchqueen - I didn't think I had discounted your idea?...
Perhaps you can come down off your soap box and inform those of us who are obviously less educated than yourself about where to obtain some balanced and scientific information about euthanasia for fish?

No offense taken kylie (although it's abundantly clear it was an attempt at just that...sorry it didn't work out for you).

Perhaps you can read the entire thread and do some research of your own instead of making insulting comments and asking redundant questions.
I joined AC because there are a variety of people on this site with experience in many different aspects of fish keeping, which I'm far less educated in, therefore I seek their advice.
My concern (in this thread) lies in the humane euthanasia of a fish; not being nasty about suggestions made by other AC members.

If you don't find suggestions from members on AC to your liking, "my soap box" & I highly recommend a phone call to a licensed vet, or a "Google" search for the "balanced & scientific information" you desire.

Cheerio!

 

[KnaveTO]

Having just joined the form today.... I am at a loss of words here. I came to this post during my review of the various threads and see this.... bickering.

Conchqueen you have presented one of the most valid points of the issue of termination of a pet fish that I have read in these seven pages.

To the rest of you that are advocating bashing, stomping etc... fish are pets... would you euthanise your dog the same way... NO. Come on here people we are supposed to be humane. We keep fish as pets for enjoyment. As for following the LFS's store-persons advise... I have very rarely seen an employee in a pet store know anything about the animals they keep except the most rudimentary of knowledge.

Lastly the use of Voda as a methodology of euthanisation.... sorry but why waste such a perfectly decent beverage

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Personally I found this thread to be extremely useful as I had to "put down" one of my mothers fish last night.

The rubbing alcohol trick does work quickly, although it does take a few seconds which feel like forever ><

 

[Que]

That's why I use the knife. practically instantainious. I know no quicker method. I will try the alcohol next time but if alcohol stings in an open cut on me I can't imagine it being painless to pour into the gills of a fish.

Q

 

[Aries]

I am with Dangerdoll on this one and vote for clove oil. I have had to do it 3 times in my life. Two off the bat because of my stupidity of not knowing how to keep fish and once recently as a tetra was sick. Walgreens can order it for you if your store doesnt stock it. Walmart was too large of a store for me to try - plus mine stores smell funny.

NOTE:Clove Oil eats though styrofoam (learned that the hard way). It spilled into the carpet and it still smells.

Since it is a anaesthetic, you really are not causing pain. But too much anaesthetic will kill you, painlessly. It happens at times when you go under for surgery and some moron doesn not stop the anaesthetic, then you die.

The knife will be quick, but they will feel some pain, even if it is for a split second.

The 90% alcohol idea intrigues me - seems logical - dont know about the pain factor though.

Aries

 

[BIGgourami]

i know this is going to sound heartless, but actually think about this:
(at least for smaller fish)
what about a blender?
they can stay in the water and it's pretty **** quick, 10,000 rpms. no chems are involved, there's no need for a sure handedness, and it's a pretty given thing that the fish will die.

it's seems pretty crude but when it comes down to it i thinkit might actually be pretty good

 

[diptonartist]

Sorry to hear about your problem, however, the best way to put it out of it's misery, is to use a very sharp blade, and sever the spinal cord just behind the head. Very quick, and painless(for the fish!)

 

[terror spawnin]

i did not read all of the posts, too many for my time. but i have read that alka seltzer is a general anisthetic for fish and one tab will quickly put a fish to sleep.

there are a few bad diseases that are easily noticed and take fish quickly, but some fish only have a genetic immunity to survive for so long, regardless wich species.(SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST). Saltwater fish in most cases have a 75% fatality rate. freshwater is far less in percentages, but most of the same fish that people lose would never have made it that far in the wild. sad but true!
As far as cutting fish up to kill them. And I say "kill them" rather than euthanisation because that is kind of harsh for your pet. If there is no obvious sign of major contaminate or disease fish can surprise you by pulling through.
If you are introducing something new, like flourish excel and your fish start acting weird; STOP USING IT!!!! and do a 25% water change every two days until you have about three changes. especially if you have the more sensative "blue rams".
Always remember: the less the better as far as chemical additives go. try not to go beyond the water dechlorination and water-aging chemicals.

With a carefully clean environment with recommended water and filter pad changes according to your set-up, you will have the best results. All the little bottom feeders and certain snails should be researched in order to achieve the ultimate ecosystem.